Watermelon Sangria Light Summer Cocktail

What is sangria?

Sangria is a wine-based drink, using either red or white wine, to which is added a variety of sliced or cut-up fruit. For the basic sangria, there should be at least two fruits, one a citrus and one not. Other add-ins may include a sweetener, fresh fruit juices, and occasionally other alcohols such as champagne or vodka.

Best wines for white sangria

Use a younger wine that is not too sweet or acidic, with nice fruity notes, so that it balances out the flavor of the overall mix. Wines such as Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Moscato, and Vinho Verde are just a few of the more popular selections.

Fruit for White Sangria

Pairing your fruit additions to the flavors of the wine you choose is a great starting point. Of course, almost all fruits are delicious in sangria although some are a more perfect fit than others.

• Oranges/Blood Oranges: add a nice citrusy note. Pair best with berries.
• Lemons: can be added in place of oranges or by themselves. Pairs best with berries.
• Strawberries or blueberries: are not overly sweet or acidic and therefore help to balance out the aicidity of the wine. Pairs best with lemon, lime and strawberries.
• Peaches: pairs best with pineapple, grapes, lemons and oranges.
• Pineapple: pairs best with peaches and grapes.

Sangria Variations

• Watermelon Moscato Sangria - uses moscato, a sweet wine with predominant flavors of peach and orange, in place of the white wine
• Pink Sangria - made with light Rose wine rather than a white wine
• Bubbly Sangria or Champagne Sangria - add the same amount of champagne as the white wine. It adds an extra effervescence to this summer cocktail
• Watermelon Strawberry Sangria - replace the oranges and 2 of the limes with 2 cups of sliced strawberries
• Watermelon Vodka Sangria - for a lttle extra kick, add ⅓ to ½ cup vodka to the mix
• Frozen Sangria - just freeze the wine in ice cube trays and add to a blender with agave and cut-up fruit.
• Boozy Sangria - add citrus-flavored vodka, rum or a schnapps like Watermelon Pucker.
• Cucumber Watermelon Sangria - for those that like juicing, add 1 cucumber to the sangria for a bit of earthy flavor.

How to Make White Sangria with Watermelon

1. Collect the four ingredients you need. You can also add mint leaves, cucumber for a bit of earthy flavor and agave for sweetness.
2. Cut or slice the fruit. Some of the fruit is peeled and cut-up to be added to the blender and some is sliced for adding to the pitcher.
3. Pour cut up fruit into blender.
4. All set to blend.

5. Blend away! Isn't that such a pretty color!

6. Strain and pour into a large pitcher. Add fruit slices. Place the pitcher in refrigertor overnight to allow flavors to blend together.

When you're ready to serve, fill glasses with ice, garnish with the extra fruit and add sangria. To finish, I like to add a touch of bubbly to this tropical-looking sangria watermelon cocktail but that is totally optional.

Tips for making the best summer sangria

• Make sure the fruit is ripe for the fullest flavor
• Let the sangria sit at least 2 hours but preferably overnight
• Add softer fruits just prior to serving such as melon or berries so they don't get mushy
• Add extra sparkle to the mix with champagne, sparkling water or lemon-lime soda
• Look at the tasting notes of the wine you choose and use fruits that accent its flavors
• Use a wine that you would drink alone as the flavor will come through

This light sangria watermelon cocktail is the perfect sipper for holiday get-togethers and long summer days. With so many fresh fruits of the season to choose from, as well as wines, there is a never-ending delicious variety to your summer sangria happy hour. So here's to however you like your cocktail! Enjoy!